TheSamba.com :: View topic

Sun Nov 29, 2009 12:56 pm

This is my son's first Baja project. I was given the remains of a '72 Baja for free. It was about to get crushed, and a friend saved it for me.

So, I figured a Baja is a great starter VW for a my 16 year old son Harrisen, aka Hot Rod Harry. (He also has a '66 Fastback, but it's more of a long-term project)

This is what we started with. At one point it had a watercooled VW motor in it.

Parts:

Type 1 IDF intakes

Rebuilt IRS trans

Picked it up for $100

Misc parts that came with the trans

Tires and wheels that I got from my friend Doug for a case of beer :lol:

Today, thanks to my friend David Pickett @ Bug Boys, I picked up the trans mounts, new bowden tube, new clutch cable, new throw out bearing, new throttle cable tube and probably some other stuff I've forgotten.

I'm into the Baja $160 + a case of beer at this point... :lol:

Some progress...

We had to pop these plugs out of the IRS trans that I picked up. VW used these plugs when using the transaxle case in a Type 3, so this trans was originally in a Square, Notch or Fasty... or maybe even a Type 34!

A few pics of the Baja as is... It's rough

Harrisen cleaning the trans cradle in the parts washer

Cradle installed on trans

We had to relocate this guy before installing the trans

Trans install

Possible wheels: Jackman 8 spoke. I wanted to convert everything to wide-5, but Harrisen has other plans...

We started to tear down the old 1835 to convert it to upright Type 1 cooling...

Needed to do some clearancing to get some bigger tires to fit... Bump stops are going away.

Engine is mostly complete, just needs cooling tin and alternator. Will get those on Monday.

Here's were we're at. Need some j-tubes for the 1 1/2" exhaust. Also need a muffler — Harrisen wants a stinger... :roll:

Sun Nov 29, 2009 4:18 pm

Cool project guys.

Tell "Hot Rod" that the wide-5s are 10 times cooler, and stronger too....

...and that stingers are AWESOME..... until the 3rd time you get pulled over by John-Law. There will be enough about the car that is barely legal without an open header.

A U-bend with a supertrapp sounds bada$$ still and should be just enough to keep those red n' blue lights out of your mirrors.

Sun Nov 29, 2009 6:32 pm

Sweet.

Mon Nov 30, 2009 2:39 am

whats the deal with that oil cooler being mounted the wrong way? your missing a pice for it to stand up like its ment to? or is this some vw trick you know? if so explain how it works/ advantages...

Mon Nov 30, 2009 4:18 am

Green bug Guy wrote: whats the deal with that oil cooler being mounted the wrong way? your missing a pice for it to stand up like its ment to? or is this some vw trick you know? if so explain how it works/ advantages...

That motor is out of a type 3 thats why it is mounted that way

Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:12 am

Exactly. I left it on there until I get the right piece to convert it to Type 1.

Mon Nov 30, 2009 11:20 am

I thought I posted that the 1835 came from a Type 3, but I didn't...

Mon Nov 30, 2009 1:39 pm

oohh ok i was thinkin that seeins how theres a notch in ine of your pics. (the best t3 ever haha) but i wasnt sure! thanks for letting me know!

Tue Dec 01, 2009 6:47 am

I'm curious why you decided to get rid of the water cooled engine that was already in the car.

It may have provided more power and the car was already modified for it.

Tue Dec 01, 2009 11:45 am

It was missing when I got it for free... :lol:

Fri Dec 04, 2009 12:00 am

Picked up some tin this week. It is all Scat tin that was powdercoated red by the guy who I got it from. I wouldn't have chosen this color. Came with some Kadron manifolds. Won't use those.

This will give us something to do this weekend.

Still need to get an alternator...

Sat Dec 05, 2009 11:12 pm

Got some more done. I ended up getting a different Baja exhaust from my friend David. We installed it and took the whole motor down to the pressure wash place.

Started installing the tin. I did convert the oil cooler to upright Type 1, but didn't get a pic of that...

Need to get an alternator now...

So far, we're up to $320 total into the Baja.

Thu Dec 10, 2009 12:49 pm

Parts on order:

Volvo master cylinder reservoir from Joe

Suspension seats that I found, new for $150 for a pair!

90amp Bosch alternator.

Hot Rod is going to have a good Christmas!

Need to find a shifter...

Sat Dec 12, 2009 7:42 pm

Nice progress, keep it up ! :D

Sat Dec 12, 2009 10:04 pm

I like the grill and the roof scoop from the first pix... :P
Great project, keep the pix rolling.

Mike

Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:42 pm

:lol:

The ordered parts have started to arrive. I also ordered all of the pieces that were needed to fix the 40mm Dellortos. It's going to be difficult to stay patient knowing what is under the Christmas tree!!

Tue Dec 15, 2009 3:51 pm

Hmmm..... I haven't had a Baja since I was about HotRod Harry's age,but I've just happened across a fairly solid '70 Standard Beetle for $100. (No motor/trans) You're encouraging me to build another, you can expect some blame in the near future too ! :lol:

Tue Dec 15, 2009 4:50 pm

Love the build, I'm in klamath falls oregon. Not much of a VW following here, I think I might be one of two in town that have a baja bug. Good to know there are others in the area. Oh and I'm gonna join that southern vw club, I didn't know we had one here.

Tue Dec 15, 2009 9:59 pm

You're not too far away!

If you're interested in joining SOVW, shoot me an email. Ryan Bonham over in Lakeview is a member as well.

phillip@sovw.org

Sun Dec 27, 2009 12:28 am

Got started on the brakes today.

Old master cylinder:

New master cylinder:

New master cylinder with Volvo reservoir:

Old brake shoes and wheel cylinder:

New shoes and wheel cylinder:

Drum back on:

This was Harrisen's first drum brake job. He did good! Only 3 more to go... :lol: